From NFTS To Pinewood: How The National Film and Television School Filmmaking Certificate Helped Ezgi Arifoglu Break Into The Industry

Ezgi Arifoglu knew she wanted a career working behind the scenes in film and television but, with the huge range of roles in the industry, wasn't sure which pathway would suit her best. This is when she discovered the NFTS Filmmaking Certificate, which gave her the opportunity to experience and get hands-on with a range of different roles and ultimately find her passion for assistant directing.

We caught up with Ezgi to hear more about how her time on the Filmmaking Certificate led her to pursue a further pathway with NFTS, work on a BAFTA-winning, Oscar-shortlisted short film and secure a full-time role doing a job she loves.

What made you decide to take this course, and what were you up to prior to taking the course?

Before NFTS, I was studying Media and Film Studies in the Netherlands. After briefly working on a film set, I realised this was the right path for me, though I wasn’t yet sure how to break into the industry. From there, I began actively researching ways to develop my skills and find opportunities to work within the creative sector.

I have had a lifelong passion for filmmaking and knew I wanted to study at the National Film and Television School in order to build a long-term career in the industry. However, I wasn’t initially sure which department would be the best fit for me. While exploring the available courses at the NFTS, I came across the Filmmaking Certificate and immediately felt that it was the right choice for me! The course provides an introduction to each department, taught by industry professionals at one of the world's leading film schools. I knew I had to apply. It definitely didn’t disappoint and played a crucial role in shaping my next steps into the industry.

Was there anything that surprised you about the course?

One of the best yet challenging aspects of the Filmmaking course was the hands-on week at the NFTS. While the programme was delivered mainly online over six months, it also included an intensive in-person week at the NFTS, where students gained practical, on-set experience by filming scenes from selected student scripts.

We were each assigned to two different groups, allowing us to step into the roles we were most interested in. I chose Assistant Directing and Production Design. While the experience was challenging, it was also highly rewarding, as many of us were working in these roles for the first time within a structured, professional environment.

Although I had previously worked on a film set and made short films with friends in a smaller-scale context, this was my first opportunity to apply those skills within a formal, collaborative production environment.
 

The Filmmaking Certificate course was the crucial first step that allowed me to fully realise my passion for the industry and confidently begin building a career within it.

How did your experience on the filmmaking certificate shape your next steps?

The process allowed me to explore different disciplines, identify my strengths, and understand where I could continue to develop. Ultimately, the hands-on week was crucial in confirming my decision to apply for the NFTS course in Assistant Directing and Floor Managing (ADFM).

Throughout the ADFM course I developed a strong understanding of the film industry, strengthened my time management and organisational skills, and gained extensive hands-on, on-set experience.

I graduated from the ADFM course with a portfolio of work on some incredible short films, including Rock, Paper, Scissors, which went on to win the Best Short Film BAFTA in 2025 and was shortlisted for the 2026 Oscars.

What advice would you give to someone considering the Filmmaking Certificate?

I would say, definitely go for it! The course broadens your horizons, allows you to learn about each department, and provides hands-on experience through coursework, projects, scriptwriting and practical filming during the in-person week.

It’s a wonderful course for those who would like to gain an in-depth understanding of the film industry and take that first step into an exciting and rewarding career. 

Where are you now in your career, and how do you see it developing next?

I am currently working full-time within the Production Management department at Pinewood Group, based at Shepperton Studios. The Filmmaking Certificate provided me with the foundational knowledge needed to gain a clear, in-depth understanding of each department on a set, how a film set operates and how to succeed within a studio environment. Studying Assistant Directing and Floor Managing further strengthened my organisational, communication, and time management skills — all of which are essential in a fast-paced, high-pressure film studio setting.

The Filmmaking Certificate was the crucial first step that allowed me to fully realise my passion for the industry and confidently begin building a career within it.

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If you are interested in following in our graduate's footsteps and kickstarting your career in the creative industries, places are still available to join the February cohort of our Filmmaking Certificate.

Apply now! nfts.co.uk/filmmaking